The FactCheck Blog
Channel 4 FactCheck goes behind the spin to dig out the truth and separate political fact from fiction.
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FactCheck: the cost of heterosexual civil partnerships
The claim
“£4bn is back of fag packet scaremongering particularly if Govt doubt straight couples want civil partnership.”
Tim Loughton (via Twitter), 19 May 2013
The background
It “could cost the exchequer £4 billion”. That was the line from the Mail – and many other news outlets – as MPs prepared for days of wrangling over the government’s same-sex marriage bill.
David Cameron is keen to legalise gay marriage, but his Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill could fall foul of former families minister Tim Loughton.
The Tory backbencher – an opponent of gay marriage – has tabled an amendment that would enable heterosexual couples to have civil partnerships instead of weddings too. (more…)
FactCheck: Hunt for the truth on the A&E ‘crisis’
Can accident and emergency departments really be hitting their targets if the system is in danger of meltdown? FactCheck finds out.
FactCheck Q&A: police killers and life time sentences
After the home secretary announces plans to ensure people convicted of killing police officers get life for life, FactCheck digs in to the announcement.
FactCheck: Why did Huhne and Pryce get out early?
It was widely reported today that Chris Huhne and Vicky Pryce had been given time off “for good behaviour”. But there is no such thing, as FactCheck finds out…
FactCheck: IDS finally rapped by statistics watchdog
The chairman of the UK Statistics Authority backs our Fiction verdict on Iain Duncan Smith’s benefit cap claims.
FactCheck: Is Nigel Lawson right about quitting the EU?
A big intervention from one of the former heavyweights of the Thatcher era. But is Nigel Lawson right that EU membership is a burden for UK businesses?
Ifs and butts of the fag packet argument – FactCheck
First we hear the government wants to ban branded fag packets, then we hear they don’t. FactCheck does some ashen-faced digging.
FactCheck: can Scotland avoid paying UK debt?
It’s a simple threat from the SNP: if an independent Scotland can’t keep the UK’s currency, it doesn’t have to take on the country’s debts. But is there any legal
FactCheck: should we make the school day longer?
Longer school days and shorter holidays could improve our academic performance, thinks Michael Gove. Top marks for the education secretary?
FactCheck: the benefit cap row
Iain Duncan Smith has been rapped by the statistics watchdog before. Critics now say he is misrepresenting government figures to defend the controversial cap on benefits. FactCheck
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